Why We Do What We Do

Abraham
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated weekly

We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

  1. 11 hr ago

    Ghost Ships

    We are kicking off this spooky season with a discussion about the spectres of the ocean: ghost ships! We tell a few of the both lesser and more well-known stories of ghost ships. We also talk about why they happen and how they influence our behavior. Have you seen a ghost ship? Recommendations Abraham: Saosin (Just Be Honest; https://saosin.com/)Shane: Hellboy comics (Mike Mignola) Holidays (10/5/2026): Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying PreventionChic Spy DayChild health DayDay of UnityDo Something Nice DayGlobal James Bond DayInternational Day of No ProstitutionNational Apple Betty DayNational Consignment DayNational Kiss a Wrestler DayNational Storytelling DayWorld Day of ArchitectureWorld Habitat DayWorld Teacher’s DayActive Aging WeekAnimal Welfare WeekBanned Books WeekDeath Penalty Focus WeekMystery Series WeekNational Vegetarian WeekNational Chili Week Links:  https://explorersweb.com/exploration-mysteries-ghost-shipshttps://www.surfline.com/surf-news/ocean-oddities-ghost-ships/78374https://www.hms-resolute.co.uk/the-nutshell/https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2023/10/29/the-mysterious-fate-of-the-baychimo-the-ghost-ship-that-haunted-the-arctic-for-decades/ https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/editors-corner/mv-lyubov-orlova-ghostship-sunk https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/abandoned-ship-the-mary-celeste-174488104/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrifying-final-voyage-cruise-boat-22044077 https://skybrary.aero/articles/fata-morgana  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  2. 2 days ago

    Mini: Centralia

    We are kicking off this year's spooky seasons mini with a brief history of the town on fire. This is a real place in the United States that has become unlivable since the town accidentally set a gigantic, subterranean coal reserve. This inspired the video game and movie franchise, "Silent Hill." Have you been to Centralia?  Support us on Patreon! Tell us your favorite memories of the show: info@wwdwwdpodcast.com Links and References: https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/history-of-centralia-a-pennsylvania-ghost-town/https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/centralia-pennsylvania-rebirthhttps://www.history.com/articles/mine-fire-burning-more-50-years-ghost-town Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  3. 30 Sept

    Happiness

    One of the most enduring values, mottos, or goals is the pursuit of happiness. We strive for it implicitly or explicitly for much of our lives. So, what is happiness? How do we achieve it? Why can't you just be happy? Because it depends :D  Recommendations Abraham: Fix My Frankenhouse (seasons 1-2; https://www.hgtv.com/shows/fix-my-frankenhouse)Shane: A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck  Holidays (9/30/2026): My mom’s birthday! Happy birthday, P-Nut!Banned Websites Awareness DayBlasphemy DayChewing Gum DayExtra Virgin Olive Oil DayInternational Podcast DayInternational Translation DayNational Hot Mulled Cider DayNational Love People DayNational Microcephaly Awareness DayNational Mud Pack DayNational Women’s Health and Fitness DayOrange Shirt DayTime for YogaThunderbirds DayWorld School Milk DayNational Chimney Safety WeekNational Dog WeekNational Fall Foliage Week Links and References:  Harris, R. (2022). The happiness trap: Stop struggling, start living (2nd ed.). Robinsonhttps://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/the-quest-for-the-good-life-ancient-philosophers-on-happiness/https://www.weforum.org/stories/leadership/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278667273_EMOTIONS_AND_EMOTIONAL_BEHAVIOR_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_APPROACH_TO_UNDERSTANDING_SOME_SOCIAL_BENEFITS_OF_AGGRESSION https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160511/https://arnoldspumpclub.com/blogs/newsletter/why-chasing-happiness-makes-you-miserable-and-what-science-says-to-do-instead?srsltid=AfmBOornkPKnjN9wQWbXZB8QQh_5fHqMbgEbdpiVJkW6kGlSi9jONIuMhttps://ls.berkeley.edu/news/stop-worrying-about-being-happy-new-berkeley-psychology-research-suggests-doing-so-makes-peoplehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10224953/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3546638/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1279874/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1284106/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  4. 28 Sept

    Mini: This is the End-ish

    An important announce and brief explanation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  5. 23 Sept

    How to Lie With Math

    The title maybe a little misleading. This is about how we delude ourselves into adopting information as factual becuase it is presented using real math. Math is extremely important and valuable and a necessity for most sciences. However, like any other tool, math can give the illusion of knowledge while actually tricking us into believing things that are not correct. We primarily focus on averages and how problematic this concept can be, but extrapolate this into other forms of math that can be used to lie and mislead even the ones who are executing the computations.  RecommendationsAbraham: Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain With Democracy (Jonathan Rauch (https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300273540/cross-purposes/)Shane: Chat Pile - Who Loves The Sun (https://open.spotify.com/album/2ITnf8HOokOJxjv483Dszk?si=3v175T9iRP2BY8aTU8XPqw) Holidays (9/23/2026):Celebrate Bi-Sexuality DayDogs in Politics DayInternational Day of Sign LanguagesNational Checkers DayNational Great American Pot Pie DayNational Snack Stick DayRestless Legs Syndrome Awareness DaySee You at the PoleTeal Talk DayChild Passenger Safety Awareness WeekConstitution WeekDeaf Dog Awareness WeekInternational Clean Hands WeekInternational Deaf Awareness WeekInternational Interpreters and Translators WeekNational Adult Day Services Week Click here to join our Patreon club! Links and References: https://www.toddrose.com/endofaveragehttps://99percentinvisible.org/episode/on-average/ https://www.anecdote.com/2023/03/179-there-is-no-average/https://austraffic.com.au/aba/us-air-force-finds-averages-can-kill  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  6. 21 Sept

    Mini: Do We Need Privacy?

    We have many mechanisms in place to protect our privacy. Some people care less about this and some people have taken this to tremendous extremes. Of course, many want unambiguous rules about privacy, but there is a lot of room for nuance. So, we ask the question about whether or not we need privacy and share some of the reasons people have given. The short answer is: until we can trust each other, we need privacy.  Click here to join our Patreon crew of cool people Links and References: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/internet-ethics/resources/why-we-care-about-privacy/https://www.privacyguides.org/en/basics/why-privacy-matters/https://www.teamim.com/insights/why-privacy-matters-even-if-you-have-nothing-to-hide  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  7. 16 Sept

    Writer's Block

    Creating content can be very effortful. Particularly when that creating entails a lot of writing. And in pursuit of that endeavor, writers sometimes find themselves stuck and unable to produce ideas to further their writing task. What is going on behaviorally and psychologically? We'll discuss some of the research behind writer's block and what you can do to get over the block. Do you have any tricks to overcome writer's block?  Recommendations Abraham: A Short Stay in Hell (Steven Peck: https://www.strandbooks.com/a-short-stay-in-hell-9780983748427.html)Shane: The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-pleasures-of-the-damned-charles-bukowski?variant=32130591162402) Holidays (9/16/2026): Ann Bradstreet DayNational Guacamole DayTrail of Tears Commemoration DayNational GED DayInternational Day for the Preservation of the Ozone LayerNational Cinnamon Raison Bread DayNational Collect Rocks DayNational Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of Hurricane KatrinaNational Play-Doh DayNational Rehabilitation DayNational Stay Away from Seattle DayNational Stepfamily DayNational Tattoo Story DayTeenager Workout DayWorking Parents DayWrinkled Raincoat DayWorld Barber Day Links and References:  https://centerforfiction.org/writing-tools/the-truth-about-writers-block/https://girlspring.com/4-ways-to-combat-writers-block/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22638809757&gbraid=0AAAAADRYq5RcbP7MWvHMjjH7eQosNAYwC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv4XUBhDBARIsAE6bQUSaMqun3ksA9P5BQfl2c-2ajwULeR_gv3rCLRMQhPcIEN-r7zMv9xsaAlYAEALw_wcBhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7965145/https://writers.com/writers-block-what-causes-writers-block-and-how-to-overcome-ithttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2190/69g4-6ycm-n11h-eeewhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-yesterday/202001/a-brief-history-of-writers-blockhttps://www.laurenpalphreyman.com/post/4-types-of-writer-s-block-and-how-to-combat-themhttps://escholarship.org/uc/item/50t6h6kdhttps://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/10-cases-extreme-writers-blockhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1311997/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2277565/https://www.emerald.com/et/article-abstract/59/6/605/91658/A-phenomenological-research-study-on-writer-s?redirectedFrom=fulltext Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

  8. 14 Sept

    Mini: Snake Oil

    We use the term snake oil to refer any fradulant product, service, or claim that is not what it says it is and lies or misconstrues what it does. You might already know that this comes from a real product that had those exact qualities. You might not know what that product was actuallly based on. We discuss the history of snake oil and why that term stuck around.  Click or tap to join our Patreon group Links and Refrences:  https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/the-history-of-snake-oilhttps://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/08/26/215761377/a-history-of-snake-oil-salesmenhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-snake-oil-became-a-symbol-of-fraud-and-deception-180985300/https://www.si.edu/object/clark-stanleys-snake-oil-liniment%3Anmah_1298331https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/rise-and-fall-snake-oil https://www.natepedersen.com/quackery  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

See All (623)

About

We explain popular and weird, little-known ideas in psychology. Whether you are a little curious about psychology, or a student, or even a professional, we have something for everyone. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Information

  • Creator
    Abraham
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    623
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Context Media
  • Show Website
    Why We Do What We Do

You Might Also Like